Writing that post about the relative scales of SWORD toys the other day reminded me of early memories buying Airfix kits at the local newsagent.
Every Friday for a treat my Grandad would buy me one of those pocket money Airfix bagged kits from a stand on the wall.
More often than not it was a jet fighter. The leaflet provided information about the aircraft and the kit helped hone my practical skills. It fact at the age of seven I could probably name most of the current aircraft of the time thanks to Airfix. I’d hastily put the kit together with the plastic cement, which generally melted most of the parts and more often than not covered my fingers.
It was rare I’d paint the model as that required patience and planning - something few seven year olds, including me didn’t have.
Occasionally I’d get a building or the odd military vehicle like the Bren carrier, Sherman Tank or D.U.K.W. Amphibious Vehicle, all of which would go with my little plastic Airfix soldiers which, being so small were doomed to end their days in the Hoover bag.
I do remember Airfix having a few ready made toys with a military bias. This F.N. rifle which fired little plastic bullets was a favourite of mine.
The Moon landing meant Airfix released their Lunar Module and Saturn V rocket.
Even these days, when I get the time I still like to tackle the odd plastic kit, although it’s not always Airfix.
But it’s nice to know that Airfix is still going (now owned by Hornby, I believe) and hopefully still helping to develop practical skills for today’s kids.
I have the feeling that most plastic kits are bought by adults these days, I'm afraid.
ReplyDeleteAs a largely former model maker, the prices of some of today's kits horrify me!
Back in the day, I had to defer to my dad to build the kits, until I got fed up of waiting and waded in with the glue! Then I graduated to Airfix, the reissued Frog kits, made by Novo and then into the wonderful multi coloured Matchbox tank kits,with the little dioramas.
ReplyDeleteI used to buy either an Airfix kit or a Matchbox car with my pocket money every few weeks. Occasionally a Frog or Aurora kit. They were really cheap in those days, around 20p or so for a series 1 kit. I remember having the SR53 shown in your photo. Apparently Airfix no longer has the mould so they can't re-release it. Shame as I'd love to get it again as it was one of the few model kits made of futuristic prototype planes that never made it into production.
ReplyDeleteI built so many model kits I could literally no longer fit in my room. To sleep that is. Started out on Airfix WW1 and WW2 planes, plus tanks and soldiers. The latter gave way to Tamiya 1/35, which then led to a very small collection of life-size. I wasn't that good a model-maker (my paint would look huge when scaled up) but I enjoyed it all immensely, doing little else in my early-mid teens. When my sons had a spell of being interested in Warhammer, the old skills came in handy. And seem to have improved with age a bit at least. :)
ReplyDeleteBest -- Paul
Ill add some classic Airfix kit catalogue pages shortly - Anyone got a favourite bit of box art?
ReplyDeleteLoved my Airfix kits as a kid and still do.
ReplyDeleteI started with the little planes and graduated to the more complicated kits in my teens. My favourites were the old sailing ship like "The Royal Sovereign" (aka "The Sovereign Of The Seas") and "The Bounty".
The Airfix "Bounty" was a lovely kit. I have it and "The Royal Sovereign" kits (purchased from Ebay) lying waiting to be made up as I write.
My other favourites were the space models. The Saturn V was awesome when I was a kid...I loved the mothership and little lunar module at the top and the detailed rocket jets were just great.
Had the Lunar Module kit too...I actually have a Revell lunar module kit (1/48) to make up I got in TKMax for about a pound last year...they were selling them off cheap.
Had a Space Shuttle at one time too...nice model, but can't remember if it was Airfix or Revell.
Oh, one of my all time favs was a Roman Trireme. That was quite an expensive kit as I remember and can't remember the name of the maker...European I think.
Then there were all the Aurora Monster kits with their glow in the dark parts...they were such a treat when I was young! "The Creature From The Black Lagoon" was one fine kit!
Loved Airfix and Aurora Universal Studios Monster kits.
ReplyDeleteI had a Saturn V and a Soviet Vostok missile in my collection.